President Donald Trump’s New Jersey trip was briefly interrupted over the weekend as a fleet of fighter jets was scrambled to intercept seven “rogue” aircraft flying near his Bedminster golf course.
The latest flyover occurred when several unidentified aircraft violated a temporary no-fly zone above Trump’s New Jersey residence around 2:50 p.m. The clueless cohort of pilots was escorted out of the airspace by military jets arriving from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the agency announced.
Flares were used to notify the pilots that they were in violation of federal airspace, and they “are employed with the highest regard for the safety of the intercepted aircraft and people on the ground,” NORAD assured, saying the flares burn out mid-air to avoid igniting a fire when they land on the ground.
The Sunday incursion was a repeat of three airspace violations on Saturday, bringing the total number of incidents above the skies at Trump’s Bedminster golf course to seven this weekend.
Because of the back-to-back mistaken maneuvers, pilots traveling through the area are now receiving additional cautions about Trump’s frequent presence in New Jersey. NORAD said in its announcement that civilian pilots should plan their routes more carefully and add additional flight time if they need to fly around the president’s residence.
Thankfully, none of the violations appeared to be intentional.
“General aviation pilots are reminded to verify all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Notice to Airmen and fly informed before every flight,” NORAD wrote on Sunday.
President Donald Trump’s New Jersey trip was briefly interrupted over the weekend as a fleet of fighter jets was scrambled to intercept seven “rogue” aircraft flying near his Bedminster golf course.
The latest flyover occurred when several unidentified aircraft violated a temporary no-fly zone above Trump’s New Jersey residence around 2:50 p.m. The clueless cohort of pilots was escorted out of the airspace by military jets arriving from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the agency announced.
Flares were used to notify the pilots that they were in violation of federal airspace, and they “are employed with the highest regard for the safety of the intercepted aircraft and people on the ground,” NORAD assured, saying the flares burn out mid-air to avoid igniting a fire when they land on the ground.
The Sunday incursion was a repeat of three airspace violations on Saturday, bringing the total number of incidents above the skies at Trump’s Bedminster golf course to seven this weekend.
Because of the back-to-back mistaken maneuvers, pilots traveling through the area are now receiving additional cautions about Trump’s frequent presence in New Jersey. NORAD said in its announcement that civilian pilots should plan their routes more carefully and add additional flight time if they need to fly around the president’s residence.
Thankfully, none of the violations appeared to be intentional.
“General aviation pilots are reminded to verify all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Notice to Airmen and fly informed before every flight,” NORAD wrote on Sunday.
Pilots, the agency went on, must exercise greater caution in watching out for temporary flight zone restrictions like those above Bedminster when President Trump is in town.
“All pilots must familiarize themselves with updates to restricted airspace, including reviewing new and existing FAA NOTAMs that impact their flight plans and activities.”
“Adhering to FAA-restricted airspace protocols is mandatory, regardless of geographic region, airframe or aircrew,” the statement said.
Despite the scare to aviation authorities, President Trump appeared unaffected and in good spirits as he returned to the White House Sunday night.
He briefly chatted with reporters on his way out of town, expressing surprise to learn that actress Sydney Sweeney, who has drawn sharp controversy for a new American Eagle commercial, is a registered Republican.
“Oh, now I love her ad,” Trump said about the it-girl’s jean outfit, which garnered criticism for her playful homophone where she credits herself with having “great genes.”
“You’d be surprised at how many people are Republican. That’s one I wouldn’t have known, but I’m glad you told me that,” he continued, the Daily Mail reported.
“If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.”
